A local tradition for more than 100 years, the Aiken Horse Show is one of the oldest events of its kind in the nation.
The 2024 edition is scheduled for Friday through Sunday in Hitchcock Woods, which is among this country’s largest urban forests.
“People describe it as magical,” said Hitchcock Woods Foundation Executive Director Mary Philipp of the horse show. “It is very, very special. It’s so beautiful and peaceful under the pines, and the grass is emerald green. There’s only one ring, so it’s easy to watch.”
Usually the public is allowed to explore Hitchcock Woods only on foot or on horseback, but during the horse show, people can drive their vehicles to its venue via the South Boundary Avenue entrance.
The suggested donation to do so is $10 per day or $25 for all three days, with the money collected being used for trail maintenance.
“We’ll have some very cool Aiken Horse Show and Hitchcock Woods merchandise for sale, and we’ve put in some more bleachers,” Philipp said.
There also will be food vendor, Perks with a Twist, and a garden bar selling alcoholic beverages.
Lunch will be served under a big white tent, which also will be the site of a silent auction.
Philipp said those interested in buying lunch tickets should call the Hitchcock Woods Foundation office at 803-642-0528 to check on their availability.
“Because it’s Easter weekend, there will be an extra special buffet,” Philipp said.
Competition will begin at 8:30 a.m. each day.
The $750 Aiken Hounds Welcome Stakes and the $1,000 Aiken Horse Show Open Handy Hunter Stakes are scheduled for Friday along with a number of hunter classes for amateurs and professionals.
“Saturday is geared toward families,” Philipp said. “We have most of the children’s classes that day. The costume class is very popular and is great fun to watch.”
On Sunday, classes for foxhunters will be offered.
“They’ll jump out of the ring and back into the ring,” Philipp said. "They’ll also open gates and things like that. We’ll have pairs and teams of horses riding together and going over fences together."
There also will be classes for sidesaddle riders.
“People love it,” said Philipp of the sidesaddle competition. “It’s become really popular because it’s so unique. They (the riders) wear long skirts, and what they can do with their horses is pretty amazing. When they go over fences, it’s very impressive.”
Around lunchtime Sunday, there will be an Easter egg hunt for children.
The Aiken Horse Show is the biggest fundraiser for the Hitchcock Woods Foundation, a nonprofit that is solely responsible for the preservation and management of the forest and its longleaf pine ecosystem.
For more information, visit hitchcockwoods.org.
